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Transverse Waves (continued).
Below is a picture of a transverse wave.
The amplitude of the wave
is measured from the peak (or
trough) to the mid-point.
Amplitude can be defined as
"the maximum displacement from the average position".
Amplitude is a measure of how much
energy the
wave has.
The wavelength is the distance between two peaks
or the distance between two
troughs.
Wavelength can be defined as
"the distance the wave has traveled during one complete cycle".
Wavelength is given the symbol
l (Greek lambda,
pronounced lam-der),
and is measured in metres because it
is a distance.
Frequency is defined as
"the number of complete cycles (complete waves) in one
second".
Hertz is the unit of frequency (symbol Hz).
1 Hertz =
1 cycle
per second.
The period of a wave is
defined as
"the time taken for one complete
cycle".
The period = 1 ÷
frequency.
This can be rearranged to give
Frequency = 1 ÷
period.
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Copyright © 2008 Dr. Colin France. All Rights Reserved.